Safety attachment for garment-pockets.



J. J. 'SCHAAB.

SAFETY ATTACHMENT FOR GARMENT POCKETS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. l6, IQIB.

Patented May 15, 1917.

ATTORNEY.

WITNESSES.-

JOHN J. SGHAAB, or ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SAFETY ATTACHMENT FOR GARMENT-POCKETS.

Application filed October 16, 1916.

1 '0 all "whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN J. SCI-IAAB, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Attachments for Garment-Pockets, of which the followin is a full, clear, and exact description, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof. My invention has relation to improvements in safety attachments for garment pockets; and it consists in the novel features of construction more fully set forth in the specification and pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide an attachment which can be secured to the pocket of a garment such as a trouser pocket, or coat pocket, and by means of which attachment the mouth of the pocket may be kept closed or sealed. The attachment thus converts the pocket into a safety pocket, not only making the same proof against pickpockets, but preventing the accidental discharge and loss of articles from the pocket with any sudden movement of the body of the person wearing the garment, or as a result of carrying or hanging the garment in such a position as would naturally permit the contents of the pocket to drop out. The advantages of the invention will be apparent from a detailed description thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 represents a portion of a pair of mens trousers in. perspective, showing my invention applied to the side pocket thereof; Fig. 2 is an edge view of the attachment unfolded to conform to the open position of the pocket; Fig. 3 is an edge view of the attachment in its collapsed position and conforming to the closed position of the pocket; Fig. l is a part face View and part transverse section on the zigzag line 4-4: of Fi 3; and Fig. 5 is a perspective of the slide which the links of the attachment are controlled.

Referring to the drawings, T, represents a portion of a pair of trousers, and P a conventional side pocket thereof as well understood in the art. The safety attachment herein comprises the terminal pairs of toggle-links 1, 1, the inner ends of the links 1 being pivotally hinged to the adjacent terminals of the intermediate links 2, 2, the whole forming a collapsible jointed frame which may be opened out as shown in Figs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented May 15, 1917.

Serial No. 125,873.

'1 and 2, or folded to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The several links are in the form of flat preferably metallic strips though I do not wish to be restricted to any particular form of cross=section of link or to any particular material. The intermediate links 2 are provided with openings 0 for the passage of threads t by which the same may be sewed or fastened to the opposite walls of the pocket near the mouth or slit leading thereinto as shown in Fig. 1. In lieu of stitching, -I may secure the links to the pocket walls in any other mechanical manner. Preferably, and to make a neat appearance, the links 2 after being once secured in place are covered over by strips of cloth 3 sewed to the pocket, though said strips 3 are not indispensable.

Traversing the toggles 1, 1, are slides 4:, each slide being formed with an opening or slot 8 through which the toggle links are received, and being provided with terminal resilientarms or lobes 5, 5, which engage the edges of the links and frictionally maintain the slide on the links at any position to which it may be shifted. Near the bases of the lobes 5 are formed alining openings 71. for the reception of a retaining pin 6 which is inserted into the openings once the slide has been passed over the toggle links. As obvious from Fig. 2, the pin 6 prevents the slide from accidentally passing off the links when moved opposite the joint between the links. The ends of the links are finally riveted or expanded against the lobes to prevent loss of the pin.

The operation is very simple. As will be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, when the slides 00- cupy their outer position or are moved to points opposite the joints between the toggle-link members 1, 1, the linked frame is free to open, thereby permitting the walls of the pocket to separate or open and permit of the insertion of the hand into the pocket.

posed members 2, 2, in close proximity and closing the pocket, so that no unauthorized person can insert his hand thereinto. The joints between the several links permit of perfect freedom of movement and bending of the body where the attachment is secured to a side trouser pocket as shown. The de vice may obviously be applied to pockets of other garments, mens and womens, such as coats, ladies skirts, and the like wherever the slit leading to the pocket is exposed or readily accessible to the pick-pocket. The attachment however is not only proof against piclcpockets, but serves to keep closed a garment pocket against an accidental opening under any circumstances whatsoever. I do not wish to be understood as restricting myself to a collapsible or folding frame composed of six links as herein shown, any other convenient number falling within the contemplation of my invention. Neither do I wish to be restricted to any special form of joint between the links, that here illustrated being the conventional form as used on the ordinary hinge. Obviously the device need not be restricted in its application to garment pockets, but may be used on bags, and similar receptacles.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. A safety attachment for pockets comprising a frame composed of pairs of ter minal toggle links, a pair of intermediate links pivotally jointed to the toggle links, slides on the toggle links operating to fold the links together with a movement of the slides toward the intermediate links, and to allow the toggle links to open with a movement of theslides away from the interme diate links.

2. A safety attachment for pockets com prising a jointed linked frame securable to, and between the pocket walls, slides for con trolling the relative position between the members of a jointed pair of links, and means for frictionally holding the slides at any point along the links.

3. In a safety attachment for pockets, a

collapsible link frame provided with terminal toggle links, a slide provided with an opening for the free passage of the links, resilient lobes on the slide engaging the links, and a pin mounted between the lobes and operating between the links for main taining the slide in position on the links.

4. A safety attachment for pockets comprising a jointed frame composed of a pair of intermediate links, a pair of terminal toggle links at each end'of the intermediate links, and slides for controlling the folding and unfolding of the toggle links and the movement to and from each other of the in termediate links, the intermediate links being provided with means for securing the same to the pocket walls.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. SCHAAB.

Witnesses:

- EMIL STAREK,

ELsE M. SIEGEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington. D. 0. 

